merge_type Alphabet and tones
Tone sandhi in Fon
In fɔ̀ngbè, the tone of a syllable can change depending on the syllable before or after it. This phenomenon, called tone sandhi, is one of the subtleties of the language.
What is tone sandhi?
In Benin, sandhi is an automatic change of tone depending on context. A word on its own may have one tone, but that tone changes when the word is in a sentence.
Low tone becomes high between 2 highs
When a low-tone syllable is surrounded by two high tones, it rises slightly.
Tone elision in compound words
In compound words, the 2nd element sometimes loses its original tone and follows the tone of the 1st.
Good to know
Sandhi is mainly a feature of speech. For a beginner, it’s enough to reproduce faithfully what you hear; the rules are learned by ear before grammar.
A subtlety to hear
Tone sandhi explains why learners who listen to a lot of Fon speak more naturally than those who only memorize from writing.
You’ve just read the lesson. Now listen to it.
This article gives you the forms. The Parlons Fongbe Academy gives you the voice: 79 video lessons with a native speaker from Cotonou, every tone pronounced, every sentence repeated until your ear can follow.
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- Getting started in Fon: the 4-step method — tones, first words, resources
- The Fon video course: see the program — 79 lessons with a native speaker from Cotonou, taught in French
- What is your Fon level? — the free 15-question test